Flexible and expansible pipe-coupling.



' 110.7730. I PATENTED 0012 5, 1964.,

I J. c. BAYLES.

FLEXIBLE AND EXPANSIBLE .PIPE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 21. 1000. RENEWED IAR. 17 1904. N0 MODEL.-

' WITNESSES UNITEDv STATES,

. Patented October 25, 19M.

PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES c. BAYLES, OF-NEW'YQRK, N. Y.

FLEXIBLE ANHD" EXPANSIBLE PIPE-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 773,047, dated October 25, 1904.

Application filed August 21,1900. Renewed March 1'7, 1904. Serial No. 198,663. (No model.)

zen of the United States, residing at New York city, county of New York, State of New York, have invented acertain new and useful Improvement in Flexible and Expansible Pipe- Couplings, of which the following is'a specification, reference being had to the drawings accompanying and forming part of the same.

, The invention relates generally to mechan ism for flexibly and exp'ansibly connecting rigid sections of pipe; and the main objects of my invention are to provide means for preventing a twisting motion of the rigid sectionsof the pipe relatively to each other: Without interfering with the other relative, motions of the rigid pipe-sections necessaryto preserve the flexibility and expansibility of the joint and also to provide improved means for connecting the rigid pipe-secljlions with a flexible and expansible section. am also enabled by my invention to limit the movement of the ends of the rigid pipe-sections away from each other, and thus to prevent strain on the flexible section due to this of the rigid pipe-sections it maybe applied .to,any flexible coupling irrespective of the character of the flexible or expansible pipesection used in connection therewith and irrespective of. the manner of attaching such flexibleor expansible section to the rigid pipe-sections and, if desired, mayjbe used without aflexible or expansible section. These .meansconsist generally of lugs pro ecting from the adjoining ends of the rigid pipesections or from parts attached to said ends,

the lugs on each pipe-section fitting into corresponding indentations on the opposite pipe:

section. The preferred form of these lugs is illustrated in the drawings and is herein,- a fter described. I

So far as my invention relates to an improved form of flexible and expansible sleeve and means for connecting the same with the rigid pipe-sections it consists generally in coupling-rings, the outer ends of which are providedwith any suitable means for attach- .the crown between said lugs.

parts fitted together.

ing the same to the rigid pipe-sections and a I sleeve of lead or other ductile and expansible material by which the coupling-rings are flexibly connected. These coupling rings consist, preferably, of a base, a crown, inwardly-projecting lugs, and indentations in The lugs on one coupling-ring are made to fit loosely into the indentations on the other coupling-ring in such manner that thetwo rings may not be twisted relatively to each other, and yet are capable of the other relative movements necessary to preserve the flexibility of the joint between them.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my flexible and expansible pi.pe coupling, showing the separated parts that make u the same. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my coupling, showing the Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an extension-section for use in my flexible joint. Fig. 4 is a side elevation ofa flexible joint in which the flexible sleeve is attached to the coupling-rings in a manner diiferent from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The flexible sleeve and coupling-rings are partly cut away, thus showing these parts in section. Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of a modified form of, coupling-ring, and Fig. 6 of a modified form of extension-section corresponding to said form of coupling-ring. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a flexible joint, showing a modified form of lugs and indentations, the-flexible sleeve notbeing shown.

In the drawings, A A are the couplingrings, B B are the bases, 0 O the crowns, and D D the projecting lugs, of said coupling-rings. The spaces E E between said lugs constitute the indentations on each coupling-ring. Preferably the bases of the said coupling-rings are flanged outwardly beyond the crowns thereof, and the interior faces of said project- 'ing bases are channeled, as shown at Z2 Z), to

The

rings may be screwed upon the ends of rigid pipe-sections; but said coupling-rings may obviously be provided with any other suitable means of attaching the same to the ends of the rigid pipesectionsas, for example, exteriorly-threaded ends, as shown in Figs. a and 7and may be made of different shapes from those shown in the drawings. The projecting lugs D D are slightly tapered, as indicated in Fig. 4, and their lateral edges (Z (Z are inclined, since these edges are formed by substantially radial planes. The lugs are made slightly smaller than the indentations, thus permitting the lugs of one coupling ring loosely to fit into the indentations of the other ring, thus making a flexible joint, yet preventing any twisting movement of the rings relative to each other. It is obvious that the lugs and indentations may be rounded instead of tapered or may be of other forms so long as the lugs on one coupling-ring fit loosely into the indentations on the other ring in such manner that the rings will be incapable of any substantial twisting motion relative to each other, but will be capable of such other motions as are necessary to maintain the flexibility and expansibility ofthe joint.

In cases where there is no danger of the ends of rigid pipe-sections becoming eccentric to each other or where suitable means are provided to prevent such eccentricity a single lug on the end of each rigid pipe-section or on each coupling-ring will be sufiicient to prevent the relative twisting of the pipe-sections. Where two lugs with beveled edges or more than two lugs are used on each pipe end or coupling-ring, the interlocking of thelugs and indentations will in itself prevent eccentric movement of the ends of the pipesections or of the coupling-rings as well as relative twisting. As in practice I believe two or more lugs will be used on each pipe-section or coupling-ring except in rare cases, I shall hereinafter refer to such lugs in the plural; but I desire it to be understood that such reference, whether in the specification or in the claims, is intended to cover the use of a single lug as well as two or more lugs.

Fig. 7 shows an important modification of my invention. The lugs are here provided with heads cl d of greater width than the body of the lug. In order to insert the heads cl d into the corresponding indentations on the opposite coupling-ring or pipe-section, it is necessary where two or more lugs are used in each coupling-ring or pipe-section to bend one set of lugs outward, slip them over the other set of lugs, and then bend the first set of lugs back into line and into the indentations. WVhen the joint is thus made, the motion of the pipe ends or coupling-rings away from each other will be limited by the impingement of the heads of one set of lugs on the heads of the other set. Thus all rupturing strain is removed from the flexible sleeve. The heads of these interlocking lugs may be rounded or of any other suitable shape,

F is the flexible sleeve, preferably of lead or other ductile metal, the ends of which said sleeve fit over the crowns of the couplingrings and project into the channels I b. The ends of the slceve may then be secured to the coupling-rings by soldering or in any other suitable manner. The flexible sleeve is of course attached to the rigid pipe-sections in cases where no coupling-rings are used and may be similarly attached even when couplingrings are used.

Where a long joint is desired, an extensionsection G, as shown in Fig. 3, may be used loosely to connect the coupling-rings or the ends of the rigid pipe-sections instead of lengthening the lugs themselves. This coupling-section is provided with lugs and indentations y, corresponding with the lugs and indentations on the coupling-rings or pipe ends. The action between thelugs and indentations on the ends of the extension-section and those of the coupling-rings or pipe ends is therefore exactly the same as that which takes place between the lugs and indentations when no extension-section is used.

It is obvious that the lugs and indentations of my invention may be applied directly to the ends of the rigid pipe-sections instead of to coupling-rings attached to the ends of said pipe-sections and that any suitable method of attaching a flexible extensible sleeve to the ends of said rigid pipe-sections or to said couplingrings may be employed. If the outer ends a (t of the coupling-rings in Fig. I were prolonged, said figure would properly represent the lugs and indentations attached directly to the ends of rigid pipe-sections. In that figure the flexible sleeve F is shown attached to the coupling-rings by means of the compression of the ends of said sleeves between shoulders /t h on the coupling-rings and compression-rings 71/71.. It is also obvious that lugs and indentations may be applied to the ends of the rigid pipe-section or to the coupling-rings in various manners without departing from the spirit of my invention. Fig. 5 illustrates one of such modifications in connection with a coupling-ring, but which is equally applicable to the end of a rigid pipe-section. In this case the indentations are not cut all the way through the crown of the coupling-ring, but constitute pockets in l; in its inner wall, into which the lugs on the extension-section shown in Fig. 6 or similar lugs on the opposite end of a rigid pipe-section or on a coupling-ring fit loosely. When the lugs are inserted into these interior pockets, relative twisting movement of the pipe-sections is prevented, and the ends of such sections are of course kept from eccentric displacement.

The relative twisting of rigid pipe-sections connected by flexible sleeves is destructive of said flexible sleeves, and even slight twisting causes the joint between the flexible and rigid sections to open. There is particular danger of this twisting of the rigid sections when workmen are laying pipe-lines or repairing the same. The use of my invention completely does away with all danger from this source. The use of two lugs with beveled edges on each coupling-ring or on each'end of the rigid pipe-sections, the use of more than two lugs on each of said parts, or the use of the crown with interior pockets also prevents the ends of the rigid sections from becoming eccentric to each other, and thus bringing a severe strain to bear upon the flexible sleeves. The fitting shown in Figs.

1 and 2 is not only novel but simple, inexpensive, and convenient for use.

Having thus descrlbed my inventlon, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A flexible fitting for pipe-lines, consisting of coupling-rings composed of flanged bases,

projecting crowns the ends of which have lugsand indentations, the lugs on each crown corresponding to and coacting with theindentations on the other crown, and a flexible expansible pipe-section attached to and connect-.

ing with the indentations on the end of the other rigid pipe-section, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A flexible fitting for pipe-lines comprising coupling-rings the ends of said-couplingrings being provided with interlocking lugs and indentations, said lugs having heads of channels;

5. A flexible fitting for pipe-lines comprising coupling-rings provided with channels in their opposing faces, a flexible expansible pipesection soldered in said channels, said coupling-rings being provided with interlocking lugs and indentations to prevent excessive torsional movement of said rings.

6. Aflexible fitting for pipe-lines comprising coupling-rings formed'with flanges, there being channels formed in the faces of said flanges and a flexible expansible pipe-section having its ends rigidly secured in said channels, there being coacting means on said coupling-rings to prevent excessive torsional movement of said coupling-rings.

'7. A flexible fitting for pipe-lines comprising coupling rings, there being channels formed in said coupling-rings and a flexible ex'pansible pipe-section having its ends rigidly secured in said channels.

JAMES C. BAYLES.

Witnesses:

J ESSIE B. KAY, FREDERICK S. DUN0AN. 

